Diagnosing Your Headache: Headache Evaluation

Why is it important to diagnose a headache?

The correct diagnosis of a headache is necessary in order to begin an effective treatment plan. Early visits to your doctor are made to establish what type or classification of headache you have.

Headache history

The most important part of the headache evaluation is the headache history. It is important to describe your headache symptoms and characteristics as completely as possible. Your headaches can be better diagnosed if you can tell your doctor:

How old you were when the headaches started

How long you have been experiencing them

If you experience a single type of headache or multiple types of headaches

How often do the headaches occur

What causes the headaches, if known (For example, do certain situations, foods, or medicines usually cause the headaches?)

Who else in your family has headaches

What symptoms, if any, occur between headaches

If your school or work performance has been affected by the headaches

If physical activity makes the pain worse

What events are associated with the headache

It also helps if you tell your doctor how you feel with the headache and what happens when you get a headache, such as:

Where the pain is located

What it feels like

How severe the headache pain is, using a scale from 1 (mild) to 10 (severe)

How long the headaches last

If the headaches appear suddenly without warning or with accompanying symptoms

What time of day the headaches usually occur

If there is an aura (changes in vision, blind spots, or bright lights) before the headache

What other symptoms or warning signs occur with a headache (such as weakness, nausea, sensitivity to light or noise, appetite changes, changes in attitude or behavior)

How often you get headaches

History of headache treatments

A history of earlier headache treatments is also an important part of the headache evaluation. Tell your doctor about all of the treatments you’ve had — both prescribed and over-the-counter medications — for your headaches. Tell your doctor what medicines you have taken in the past and what medicines you are currently taking. Bring the bottles to the appointment, or ask your pharmacist for a printout.

Studies performed by other doctors, including X-rays and scans, are very important. Bring these to your appointment as well, since it might save time, and you won’t have to take the tests again.

Physical and neurological examinations

After completing the headache history, the doctor will perform a complete physical and neurological examination. The doctor will look for signs and symptoms of an illness that might be causing the headaches, such as:

Neurological tests focus on ruling out diseases that might also cause headaches, such as epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and other cerebrovascular diseases. A disorder of the central nervous system might be suspected in the development of serious headaches. These include:

Psychological evaluation

An interview with a psychologist is not a routine part of a headache evaluation, but it might be done to identify stress factors that can cause your headaches. Patients are usually asked to complete computerized questionnaires in order to provide more in-depth information.

Diagnostic tests

Additional diagnostic tests might be needed to rule out other medical conditions. These tests are listed below. Keep in mind that laboratory tests are not helpful in diagnosing migraine, cluster, or tension-type headaches.

Blood chemistry and urinalysis — These tests are used to determine other medical conditions — including diabetes, thyroid problems and infections — that can cause headaches.

Computed tomography (CT scan) — X-rays and computers are used to produce images of a cross-section of the body. A CT scan of the head might be recommended if you are getting daily or almost daily headaches to help rule out other causes of headaches.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) — This test produces very clear pictures, or images, of the brain without the use of X-rays. MRI uses a large magnet, radio waves, and a computer to produce these images. An MRI provides information about the structure and biochemistry of the brain. An MRI might be recommended if you are getting daily or almost daily headaches. It might also be recommended if a CT scan does not show definitive results. In addition, an MRI scan is used to evaluate certain parts of the brain that are not as easily viewed with CT scans, such as the spine at the level of the neck and the back portion of the brain.

Sinus X-ray — Although the CT scan and MRI provide more details, your doctor might use this test if your symptoms seem to indicate sinus problems.

Ophthalmology evaluation — An eye pressure test performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) will rule out glaucoma or pressure on the optic nerve as causes of headaches.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) — The removal of spinal fluid from the spinal canal. This procedure is only done to rule out conditions that might be affecting the brain and spinal cord. This test is used only if the symptoms call for it. It can cause a headache for a few hours afterward.

Conclusion

After evaluating the results of the headache history, physical examination, neurological and psychological examination, your doctor should be able to determine what type of headache you have, whether or not a serious problem is present, and whether other tests are needed.

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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 7/18/2014...#9655